"Since severe weather impacts everyone, this summit is for everyone," said Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak. "While the experts can learn valuable lessons about preparedness and response, those merely fascinated by severe weather can get an inside look at storm prediction and response and how it affects them. They'll also learn how to protect their families" For the first time, the National Tornado Summit will also include the National Severe Weather Workshop (NSWW). The breakout sessions, organized by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), will focus on crisis communication, emergency response analysis, significant weather events of 2012, tornado ratings and how social media impacts the effectiveness of severe weather watches and warnings. "Teaming up with the Tornado Summit seems like a natural fit for the National Severe Weather Workshop," said Greg Carbin, warning coordination meteorologist for the NOAA SPC and NSWW chair. "We look forward to a great event." The summit also includes a tour of the National Weather Center and the NOAA Storm Prediction Center (SPC), which issues all tornado watches for the contiguous United States. "The National Severe Weather Workshop is a tremendous addition to the National Tornado Summit," said John Wiscaver, National Tornado Summit Committee Co-Chair. "The workshop has a great reputation for excellence and we're delighted to include it in this year's summit. You add that to the emergency management and insurance experts, and this event really encompasses every aspect of tornado safety, awareness, response and recovery."

Free Weather Fair Open to the Public

Also new in 2013 is the addition of the Weather Fair. The free, family-friendly event is scheduled for March 10th and is open to the public. Attendees can step inside the tornado simulator, speak to a television meteorologist or hop in the front seat as professional storm chasers relive the close calls they've encountered on the job. The Weather Fair will also feature canine search and rescue teams, disaster response vehicles, cutting-edge weather products, weather experiments, mascots and more. "The Weather Fair is a great opportunity for families to get prepared for the upcoming storm season," said Kim Decker, National Tornado Summit Committee Co-Chair. "It's a free, fun way to learn about weather safety." The National Tornado Summit is sponsored by the Oklahoma Insurance Department, Oklahoma Emergency Management, National Weather Center, NOAA, SPC and National Association of Insurance Commissioners. It serves as a national forum for national and state experts to exchange ideas and recommend new policies to improve emergency management. The goal is to improve disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery in order to save lives and property.